This is one of the most common questions we get from people who failed the NREMT. After your test, the NREMT gives you a numerical score and nothing else. What does it mean and how do you proceed? Let’s take a few moments to answer this important question.
Stop Thinking of the NREMT Score as a Percentage
A passing NREMT score is 950. The highest possible score is 1500, while the lowest possible is 100.
You’ve been conditioned by classroom exams to think that every test has a clear-cut score with a percentage grade. The NREMT isn’t like that. It has a complex algorithm with multiple factors to determine the grade. Rather than one simple calculation of right vs wrong, the NREMT has many. Think of it as a soup where question difficulty, topic areas, and question types are the main ingredients. The recipe is adjusted frequently to make sure that it correctly determines entry level competence. Throw in some serious mathematical analysis and psychometrics (the science of assessment and measurement)—and you’ve got the soup. With a recipe only the NREMT knows—and they don’t share.
What does this mean? It means that interpreting your grade is more than looking at a number. You’ve got to dig deep and look not only at the score, but at how you prepared for the exam.
What Does My NREMT Score Mean?
If we were to give an approximate analysis of a failing NREMT score—and we mean approximate—it would go like this:
Next NREMT Attempt: Look at the Big Picture
There is more than the numerical score to consider when you prepare for your next attempt. Take an honest look at your class and your preparation as you plan your next steps. Ask these questions:
Did your class prepare you? Was it in depth, structured, and informative? If not, you’ve got some catching up to do. We constantly hear stories of students getting out early every day, switching between multiple educators, and other horror stories.
➡️ If your class didn’t leave you feeling prepared, you must get that knowledge on your own. This will take work but can be done.
Did you study in class? Did you read your book, take notes, and ask questions in class? How were your grades? If you answer that you could have done better on any of these things, you aren’t alone.
➡️ If you didn’t learn the content in your class, you have some catching up to do before you will be successful.
What about the time between your class and the exam? Did you delay taking the NREMT more than 30-60 days? Did you create and follow a study plan or did you procrastinate and play more than serious study?
➡️ If you’ve put off taking the exam, you’ve forgotten important material. It’s time for some serious study.
Pass on Your Next Attempt
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Our audios for EMT and AEMT can get you that missing material. Headphones in and learn!
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